Multiple payload cartridge employing single pair of electrical connections

Abstract

A multiple payload cartridge employing circuit components in the squib portion thereof to allow for separate or sequential firing thereof, and hence separate payload ejection, through two-wire connections. Various techniques include the use of a repositionable switch to provide sequential ground connections; the use of mechanical interrupters, e.g., spring-type, crushable-element-type or domed-pop-action type; the use of resistive voltage dividers to permit discrimination in squib firing via applied voltage amplitudes; the use of diodes to permit discrimination in squib firing via applied voltage polarities; and combinations of the above.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A multiple payload cartridge connectable for separate ignition of the payloads therein through two connecting wires, comprising: a first expendable payload within the cartridge including a first squib,   a second expendable payload within the cartridge including a second squib,   ignition means pulsed through the connecting wires connected to said first and second squibs including means for disenabling said second squib from ignition by an applied first pulse thereto suitable for igniting said first squib and enabling said second squib for ignition by an applied second pulse, and   said ignition means including a switch through which the ignition pulses are applied, said switch being initially connected to said first squib and disconnected from said second squib and being operable by the first applied pulse to be connected to said second squib, said switch including a sensor for sensing the pressure of the first applied pulse and actuating the contacts of the switch to be connected to said second squib, said first and second squibs being capable of actuation by voltages of the same polarity.   
     
     
       2. A multiple payload cartridge as described in claim 1, wherein said switch includes a delay element so that said second squib is not enabled until after a predetermined period following the first applied pulse. 
     
     
       3. A multiple payload cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuation of said sensor is on the trailing end of the first pulse. 
     
     
       4. A multiple payload cartridge connectable for separate ignition of the payloads therein through two connecting wires, comprising: a first expendable payload within the cartridge including a first squib,   a second expendable payload within the cartridge including a second squib,   ignition means pulsed through the connecting wires connected to said first and second squibs including means for disenabling said second squib from ignition by an applied first pulse thereto suitable for igniting said first squib and enabling said second squib for ignition by an applied second pulse, and   said ignition means including a switch through which the ignition pulses are applied, said switch being initially connected to said first squib and disconnected from said second squib and being operable by the first applied pulse to be connected to said second squib, said switch including a pyrotechnic delay column ignited by the first applied pulse which, following the pyrotechnic delay, repositions said switch to enable said second squib for pulse ignition by a second applied pulse.   
     
     
       5. A multiple payload cartridge connectable for separate ignition of the payloads therein through two connecting wires, comprising: a first expendable payload within the cartridge including a first squib,   a second expendable payload within the cartridge including a second squib,   ignition means pulsed through the connecting wires connected to said first and second squibs including means for disenabling said second squib from ignition by an applied first pulse thereto suitable for igniting said first squib and enabling said second squib for ignition by an applied second pulse, and   said first squib being connected directly to the connecting wires and including a mechanical interrupter for connecting said second squib to the connecting wires, said interrupter being resiliently held open by the presence of said first payload, the ejection thereof closing said interrupter.   
     
     
       6. A multiple payload cartridge as described in claim 5, wherein said mechanical interrupter includes a mechanical delay for closing of said interrupter following ejection of said first payload. 
     
     
       7. A multiple payload cartridge as described in claim 5, wherein said interrupter includes a reaction switch having a crushable element, the ignition of said first squib crushing the element and closing said interrupter. 
     
     
       8. A multiple payload cartridge as described in claim 5, wherein said interrupter includes a reaction switch having a domed pop element, the ignition of said first squib popping said element to close said interrupter. 
     
     
       9. A multiple payload cartridge connectable for separate ignition of the payloads therein through two connecting wires, comprising: a first expendable payload within the cartridge including a first squib,   a second expendable payload within the cartridge including a second squib,   a third expendable payload within the cartridge including a third squib connected to an ignition means,   ignition means pulsed through the connecting wires connected to said first and second squibs including means for disenabling said second squib from ignition by an applied first pulse thereto suitable for igniting said first squib and enabling said second squib for ignition by an applied second pulse, and   said ignition means including a diode in series with said second squib for blocking an applied first pulse of a first polarity while permitting ignition of said second squib with the application of a second pulse of a second polarity and including a second diode and a resistive element in series with said third squib for blocking an applied first pulse of a first polarity and for lowering an applied second polarity second pulse of low voltage suitable for igniting said second squib so as to prevent igniting said third squib therewith while permitting ignition of said third squib with the application of a second polarity third pulse of higher voltage.   
     
     
       10. A multiple payload cartridge connectable for separate ignition of the payloads therein through two connecting wires, comprising: a first expendable payload within the cartridge including a first squib,   a second expendable payload within the cartridge including a second squib, and   ignition means pulsed through the connecting wires connected to said first and second squibs including means for disenabling said second squib from ignition by an applied first pulse thereto suitable for igniting said first squib and enabling said second squib for ignition by an applied second pulse, said ignition means including a resistive element in series with said second squib for lowering an applied first low voltage pulse suitable for igniting said first squib so as to prevent igniting said second squib therewith while permitting ignition of said second squib with the application of a second higher voltage pulse.   
     
     
       11. A multiple payload cartridge connectable for separate ignition of the payloads therein through two connecting wires, comprising: a first expendable payload within the cartridge including a first squib,   a second expendable payload within the cartridge including a second squib,   a third expendable payload cartridge within the cartridge including a third squib,   ignition means pulsed through the connecting wires connected to said first, second and third squibs, said ignition means including: means for disenabling said second squib from ignition by an applied first pulse thereto suitable for igniting said first squib and enabling said second squib for ignition by an applied second pulse,   a resistive element in series with said second squib for lowering an applied first low voltage pulse suitable for igniting said first squib so as to prevent igniting said second squib therewith while permitting ignition of said second squib with the application of a second higher voltage pulse, and   a diode in series with said third squib for blocking an applied first and second pulse of a first polarity while permitting ignition of said third squib with the application of a third pulse of a second polarity.     
     
     
       12. A multiple payload cartridge as described in claim 11, and having a fourth expendable payload within the cartridge including: a fourth squib connected to said ignition means, and   wherein said ignition means includes a second diode and a second resistive element in series with the fourth squib for blocking said first and second applied pulses of a first polarity and said third pulse of a second polarity while permitting ignition of said fourth squib with the application of a fourth pulse of said second polarity higher in amplitude than said third pulse.   
     
     
       13. A multiple payload cartridge connectable for separate ignition of payloads therein through two connecting wires, comprising: a first expendable payload within the cartridge including a first squib,   a second expendable payload within the cartridge including a second squib, and   ignition means connected through the connecting wires connected to said first and second squibs, including a resistive element in series with said second squib for lowering an applied first low voltage suitable for igniting said first squib so as to prevent igniting said second squib therewith while permitting ignition of said second squib with the application of a second higher voltage.   
     
     
       14. A multiple payload cartridge as described in claim 13, and having a third expandable payload within the cartridge including: a third squib connected to said ignition means, and   wherein said ignition means includes a second resistive element in series with said third squib for lowering said first and second voltages so as to prevent igniting said third squib therewith while permitting ignition of said third squib with the application of a third voltage higher than said second voltage.